Rock Beauty Angelfish

Care at a glance

Overview

This is a difficult angel that needs a mature 340 litre or larger tank with abundant live rock and, ideally, sponge-based angelfish foods at 23 to 27 C. Many specimens refuse prepared food and slowly starve, so it is best left to experienced keepers who can provide sponge and vary the diet. It nips soft and stony corals and clam mantles, so treat it as reef safe only with caution. Keep one per tank in a calm, low-stress setting.

In the wild

The rock beauty is the smallest Atlantic Holacanthus, with a black body framed in bright yellow. It sticks close to reef ledges and caves and spends much of its day picking at sponges. It is more timid and easily stressed than other large angels. Wild adults rely heavily on sponge in their diet.

Good to know

Holacanthus tricolor reaches about 35 cm and feeds mainly on sponges in the wild. Its heavy sponge dependence makes it one of the harder marine angels to sustain in captivity. Juveniles wear a blue-ringed black spot that fades with age.

Did you know

Getting a rock beauty to accept prepared food is the whole challenge, since a wild diet of living sponge is nearly impossible to copy at home.

Related species

• 

  King Angelfish

  Holacanthus passer

  13.8 in (35 cm)151 gal (570 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Blue Angelfish

  Holacanthus bermudensis

  17.7 in (45 cm)251 gal (950 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Queen Angelfish

  Holacanthus ciliaris

  17.7 in (45 cm)251 gal (950 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Blueface Angelfish

  Pomacanthus xanthometopon

  15 in (38 cm)219 gal (830 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Emperor Angelfish

  Pomacanthus imperator

  15 in (38 cm)185 gal (700 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Asfur Angelfish

  Pomacanthus asfur

  15.7 in (40 cm)135 gal (510 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)